WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/GEN/849 
18 June 2008 
 (08-2851) 
Committee on Sanitary a nd Phytosanitary Measures Original:   English 
  
 
DECISIONS FROM THE THIRD SESSION 
OF THE COMMISSION ON PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES 
(ROME, 7-11 APRIL 2008) 
 
Submission by the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)
 
 
  The following communication, dated 16 June 2008,  is being circulated at the request of the 
IPPC
. 
 
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1. The Third Session of the Commission on Phytosanitary Measures (CPM-3) took place in 
Rome, 7-11 April 2008.  Three hundred and twenty -one participants registered, representing 
129 Members of the Commission (i.e. contracting parti es to the IPPC), plus five countries who were 
not contracting parties and 15 observer organi zations.  The Session was opened by the Deputy 
Director-General of the FAO. 
GOAL 1:  A ROBUST INTERNATIONAL STANDARD SETTING AND 
IMPLEMENTATION PROGRAMME 
A. ADOPTION
 OF INTERNATIONAL  STANDARDS  FOR  PHYTOSANITARY  MEASURES 
2. The Secretariat introduced four draft texts for consideration by the CPM, which consisted of 
three proposed new standards ( Establishment of areas of low pest prevalence for fruit flies 
(Tephritidae) , Methodologies for sampling of consignments  and Replacement or reduction of methyl 
bromide as a phytosanitary measure ) and some amendments to ISPM No. 5 ( Glossary of 
phytosanitary terms ). 
Establishment of areas of low pest prevalence for fruit flies (Tephritidae) 
 
3. This standard provides guidelines for the establis hment and maintenance of areas of low pest 
prevalence for fruit flies (FF-ALPPs) by a NPPO.  Such  areas may be utilized as official pest risk 
management measures alone, or as part of a system s approach, to facilitate trade of fruit fly host 
products, or to minimize the spread of regulated fruit flies within an area.  This standard applies to 
fruit flies (Tephritidae) of economic importance. 
4. The CPM: 
− Adopted  as ISPM No. 30:  Establishment of areas of low pest prevalence for fruit flies 
(Tephritidae) , contained in Appendix 4.  
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  Methodologies for sampling of consignments 
 
5. This standard provides guidance to National Plant Protection Organizations (NPPOs) in 
selecting appropriate sampling methodologies for inspec tion or testing of consignments to verify 
compliance with phytosanitary requirements.  It was noted that it was a very technical standard and 
that an explanatory document should be urgently developed. 
6. The CPM: 
− Adopted  as ISPM No. 31:  Methodologies for sampling of consignments , contained in 
Appendix 5; 
− Requested  the Standards Committee to develop urgently an explanatory document for the 
standard. 
 Replacement or reduction of methyl bromide as a phytosanitary measure  
 
7. This document is an IPPC Recommendati on as provided for in the IPPC (1997) 
(Article XI.2.g), which outlines areas for action and guidelines to replace or reduce the use of methyl 
bromide as a phytosanitary measure.  With the overa ll aim of reducing release of methyl bromide into 
the atmosphere, NPPOs may consider methods of reducing the quantities of methyl bromide used, 
reducing methyl bromide emissions by physical means, and promoting and implementing phytosanitary measures that are economically and tec hnically feasible as viable alternatives to the use 
of methyl bromide.  The IPPC Recommendation also provides guidance on recording the use of 
methyl bromide 
8. The CPM: 
− Adopted  IPPC Recommendation:  Replacement or reduction of the use of methyl bromide 
as a phytosanitary measure  (Appendix 6), and agreed  that its format would be reviewed 
once criteria for IPPC recommendations were available.  
 B. PROCEDURE
 AND  CRITERIA  FOR  IDENTIFYING  TOPICS  FOR  INCLUSION  IN THE  
IPPC  STANDARD  SETTING  WORK  PROGRAMME 
C. IPPC  STANDARD  SETTING  PROCEDURE   
D. TERMS  OF REFERENCE  AND  RULES  OF PROCEDURE  FOR  TECHNICAL  PANELS 
9. The above three procedures and Terms of Re ference were discussed and revised by a CPM 
Focus Group meeting in July 2007 and reviewed by the CPM Informal Working group on Strategic Planning and Technical Assistance (SPTA) and the CPM Standards Committee (SC).  The CPM 
discussed the procedures and following so me modifications, they were adopted. 
E. IPPC
 STANDARD  SETTING  WORK  PROGRAMME 
10. The Secretariat introduced the IPPC standard se tting work programme, indicating the status of 
topics under development.  The topics and subjects th at the technical panels were working on were 
also presented.  It was noted that a call for new t opics for the work programme had been carried out in 
2007.  The SPTA had provided strategic priorities on the submissions to the SC, who then had 
reviewed the submissions and made recommenda tions for additions to the work programme. 
11. The CPM: 
− Endorsed  the addition of topics, and their associated priorities;   G/SPS/GEN/849 
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  − Removed  the topic of the development of Annex 1 of ISPM No. 18 from the work 
programme, noting that the irradiation treat ments stayed in the work programme as a 
topic under the work of the Technical Panel on Phytosanitary Treatments.  
 F. REPORT
 ON THE  IPPC  BARK  SURVEY  CONDUCTED  ON ISPM  NO.  15 MARKED  
WOOD  IN 2007 
12. A member of the Technical Panel on Forest Quarantine (TPFQ) presented the results of the 
survey conducted on bark on wood packaging mate rial marked in accordance with ISPM No. 15 
(Guidelines for regulating wood packaging material in international trade ).  He highlighted that the 
survey and the additional data served as a valuab le contribution to the revision of ISPM No. 15. 
13. Some members invited the Secretariat to comment on the current status of the revision of 
ISPM No. 15.  The Secretariat indicated that a draft revision of ISPM No. 15 would be presented to 
the SC in May 2008 and, depending on the decision of the SC, may go forward for member consultation in June. 
GOAL 2:  INFORMATION EXCHANGE SYSTEMS APPROPRIATE TO MEET IPPC 
OBLIGATIONS 
14. Additional information and statisti cs related to the use of the IPP were made available.  It was 
noted that some countries met their reporting obligations through means other than the IPP and that this should be considered when looking at the implementation of the IPPC and ISPMs. 
GOAL 3:  EFFECTIVE DISPUTE SETTLEMENT SYSTEMS 
A. REPORT
 ON DISPUTE  SETTLEMENT  ACTIVITIES  SINCE  CPM-2 
15. The Secretariat noted that several inquiries had been made in 2007 regarding disputes, in 
particular regarding the interpretation of the te rm "public officers" in ISPMs Nos. 7 and 12. 
16. Several members expressed concern that private standards, many of which had no scientific 
justification, adversely affected export markets a nd requested that the CPM discuss the implications 
of these private standards. Some countries were conc erned with the approach by private retailers, by 
which more stringent and scientifically unjustifie d private standards were imposed on small scale 
farmers, especially in least developed and developi ng countries.  It was su ggested that this issue 
should be of concern to the IPPC  and should be discussed with rele vant international organizations 
with a view to removing any areas of conflict with the SPS Agreement.  This was especially true for 
the "GlobalGAP" standard which included phytosan itary considerations as it was based on a value-
chain approach. 
B. OUTCOME  OF THE  OPEN-ENDED  WORKING  GROUP  ON A POSSIBLE  IPPC  
COMPLIANCE  MECHANISM 
17. The OEWG agreed that a compliance (enforcement) process was believed to be contrary to 
the objectives and philosophy of the CPM and F AO.  Rather, the OEWG developed the "IPPC 
Implementation Review and Support System" (IRSS), which built on existing, or planned, processes 
already approved by the CPM, with the prim ary objective of facilitating and promoting the 
implementation of the IPPC and ISPMs.  The IR SS could help in avoiding future disputes. 
18. Advantages of the IRSS included:  the ab ility to monitor, encourage and support the 
harmonized implementation of the IPPC and its ISPMs by contracting parties; and a means to identify 
and address emerging and potential implementation pr oblems before they became disputes, through G/SPS/GEN/849 
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  an assistance-based and non-confrontational process.  (This would address a number of 
recommendations from the independent evaluation of the IPPC, specifically the review of the state of 
plant protection in the world and the development of procedures to monitor the implementation of standards.) 
19. The CPM: 
− Agreed  that the focus of the IRSS should be implementation rather than compliance, that the 
establishment of the "IPPC Help Desk" was ve ry important to the success of the IRSS and 
that the outcome of the IRSS would be used to  adjust the Business and Operational Plans of 
the CPM;  
− Requested  that the IRSS be incorporated into the CPM Capacity Building Strategy and that 
the Secretary pursue all reasonable options to ensure the post of a standards implementation 
officer (as foreseen in the IPPC Business Pl an) be established as soon as practically possible.  
 
GOAL 4:  IMPROVED PHYTOSANITARY CAPACITY OF MEMBERS 
A. ANALYSIS
 OF THE  APPLICATION  OF THE  PCE  TOOL 
20. The CPM discussed the recommendations made by the SPTA, regarding the 
recommendations made by CABI Africa in its report to  CPM-2 on the analysis of the application of 
the PCE tool.  The need for a comprehensive cap acity building strategy to address the needs of 
developing countries was highlighted. It was noted th at the recommendations could be considered in 
the development of the capacity building strategy and it was proposed that an open-ended working 
group undertake the task rather than a focus group , in order to allow for broad participation. 
21. The CPM: 
− Noted  that the SPTA agreed that a phytosanita ry capacity building strategy was required 
and recommended that an open-ended working group be established to develop a draft 
strategy for consideration by the SPTA for presentation to CPM-4.  
 B. PROPOSED
 WORK  PROGRAMME  2008-2009  FOR  IMPROVED  CAPACITY-BUILDING  
OF MEMBERS 
22. The Secretariat presented a summary of the pl anned capacity building activities for the year, 
noting that most regional workshops on draft IS PMs were on hold pending available funding and 
encouraged donor support for these activities. 
23. Information was provided on a project proposal for addressing the fruit fly problem in East 
Africa.  Members from West and Northern Africa and the Near East were assured that similar proposals were being considered for their regions. 
C. DEVELOPMENT
 OF A CPM  TECHNICAL  ASSISTANCE  STRATEGY  FOR  
PHYTOSANITARY  CAPACITY  BUILDING 
24. A document was presented on developing a st rategy for capacity bui lding, noting that 
adequate capacity and infrastructure for contractin g parties played a critical role in achieving the 
objectives of the IPPC.  It was noted that Article XX of the IPPC and the CPM Business Plan (2007-2011) both promoted technical assistance but that a clear strategy to guide CPM capacity building 
activities was not in place. 
25. The Independent Evaluation of the IPPC and the report from CABI-Africa both had 
recommended the development of a comprehensive technical assistance strategy in support of 
capacity building.  This recommendation for the development of such a strategy was strongly  G/SPS/GEN/849 
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  endorsed by the Extraordinary meeting of th e SPTA, the Informal Working Group on Technical 
Assistance, the Technical Consultation among Regiona l Plant Protection Organisations and the SPTA.  
It was noted that a strategy would benefit from a broad understanding of technical assistance, 
avoiding overlap and taking advantage of synergies. 
26. The CPM welcomed the initiative.  It discussed the proposal to develop a concept paper on 
phytosanitary capacity building that could be closely linked to the development of a capacity building 
strategy. 
27. The CPM: 
− Confirmed  the intention to have a national capacity  building programme coordinated by the 
IPPC Secretariat;  
− Established  an Open-ended working group on Building National Phytosanitary Capacity to 
develop:  
(i) A concept paper on national phytosanitary  capacity for consideration by the 
SPTA in 2008 for presentation to the CPM-4; 
(ii) A draft strategy for national phytosanitary  capacity building for consideration by 
the SPTA for presentation to CPM; 
(iii) A proposed operational plan for implementing the strategy over the first six years 
of its operation. 
 
GOAL 5:  SUSTAINABLE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IPPC 
A. ACCEPTANCE  OF DOCUMENTS  IN ELECTRONIC  FORMAT 
28. The Secretariat presented a document on the acceptance of electronic correspondence and 
noted that few members had chosen that option. 
29. The CPM: 
− Encouraged  members to opt to receive electronic correspondence only, either by 
choosing that option on the IPP or by sendi ng the model text in Appendix 16 to the 
Secretariat.  
 
B. CPM  OPERATIONAL  PLAN  FOR  2008 
30. The Secretariat presented the operational pl an, which was based on the business plan and 
described the activities that would be carried out by the Secretariat in 2008 using the resources from 
the FAO regular programme and vari ous trust funds.  Due to insufficient resources, activities had been 
prioritized by the SPTA and some would need to  remain on hold unless additional funding became 
available.  The proposed activities under each  of the seven goals were detailed. 
C. BUDGET  FOR  THE  TRUST  FUND  FOR  THE  IPPC  FOR  2008 
31. The Secretariat presented the budget for 2008 for the Trust Fund for the IPPC.  At the time of 
the CPM no indication had been received of any new contributions for 2008. 
32. The CPM: 
− Noted  that as at March 2008, the Secretariat had received no indication from any 
contracting party of an intention to contribute to the Trust Fund for 2008;  
− Actively encouraged  contracting parties to contribute to the Trust Fund for the IPPC.  
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  D. PROJECT-ORIENTED
 PLANNING  FOR  THE  MULTILATERAL  IPPC  TRUST  FUND 
33. CPM-2 had agreed to develop project-oriented planning for the multilateral trust fund.  The 
objective of the Trust Fund for the IPPC, to provi de resources to benefit developing countries, was 
also applicable for project-oriented planning.  Five projects were proposed. 
34. The CPM: 
− Adopted  the proposed project-planning under the Trust Fund for the IPPC. 
 E. PROMOTION
 STRATEGY  FOR  THE  TRUST  FUND  FOR  THE  IPPC 
35. The independent evaluation of the IPPC had urged the Secretariat to formulate a funding 
mobilisation strategy.  To assist with this the Govern ment of Canada had released an officer to work 
on this strategy, which was still in its initial stages.   The promotion strategy would consist of several 
parts to assist in the solicitation of funds, such as an information kit, outlining opportunities for 
contribution and training to contracting parties on ho w to strive for sustainability.  An additional part 
of the strategy was to conduct a review of simila r conventions to identify best management practices 
and innovative mechanisms for resource donations. 
F. PROPOSAL  FOR  THE  ADOPTION  OF CPM  RECOMMENDATIONS 
36. A proposal was introduced suggesting how deci sions could be presented in a consistent 
manner and numbered in a way that c ould be tracked for later review, change or deletion.  Currently 
decisions were contained in CPM reports and re port appendices, which coul d be hard to track. 
(Procedural decisions would not fall into the cate gory of recommendations and would continue to be 
added to the Procedural Manual.) 
37. The CPM: 
− Considered  the format for CPM recommendations regarding long term operational and 
administrative recommendations;  
− Requested  the further development of the proposal and format, taking into consideration 
the comments made by the CPM.  
 G. ISPM
 NO.  15 SYMBOL  – STATUS  OF REGISTRATION  AND  PROCEDURES  AND  
ESTIMATED  COSTS  FOR  REGISTRATION  IN COUNTRIES  WHERE  IT IS NOT  YET  
REGISTERED 
38. The difference between the ISPM No. 15 mark and symbol was explained by the Secretariat.  
Confusion might be caused by the registration nom enclature in national intellectual property laws 
such as certification mark (collective mark or guara ntee mark) and trade mark.  To date the symbol 
had been registered on behalf of FAO in 96 c ountries, leaving it unregistered in approximately 
110 countries.  The Secretariat indicated that it would continue this registration in the countries that 
had recently joined the Madrid system and in two regional organizations and later proceed with the 
remaining national registrations. 
39. Members were reminded that since the FAO owned the symbol, any registration of the 
symbol would be done on behalf of FAO and in its name. 
40. One important issue raised was how would un authorized use be dealt with?  FAO Legal 
Office advised that in the event of such an eventuality, FAO, being an intergovernmental 
organization, would liaise with the NPPO of the country where the infringement had occurred, to assist the country to take the necessary administrative actions.  G/SPS/GEN/849 
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  GOAL 6:  INTERNATIONAL PROMOTION OF THE IPPC AND COOPERATION WITH 
RELEVANT REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS 
A. REPORT  ON PROMOTION  OF THE  IPPC  AND  COOPERATION  WITH  RELEVANT  
INTERNATIONAL  ORGANIZATIONS 
41. The Secretariat provided a brief overview of  cooperation with rele vant international 
organizations.  Such cooperation involved, in pa rticular, CAB International; Codex Alimentarius 
Commission; Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); International Forestry Quarantine Rese arch Group; Standards and Trade Development 
Facility (STDF); WTO SPS Committee; World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Montreal Protocol. 
42. Informal cooperation continued with Codex Alimen tarius and the OIE.  The IPPC Secretariat 
had attended all formal and informal meetings  of the WTO SPS Committee and the STDF working 
group. 
43. The Secretariat noted that the Joint FAO/IAEA Division provided financial and 
administrative support for the 2007 meeting of the Technical panel on pest free areas and systems 
approaches for fruit flies (TPFF), including providin g secretariat service and travel funding for some 
participants (including the Secretariat). 
B. REPORT
 OF THE  INTERNATIONAL  FOREST  QUARANTINE  RESEARCH  GROUP 
44. The Chairperson of the International Forest Quarantine Research Group (IFQRG) outlined the 
evolving relationship between IFQRG and the Techni cal Panel on Forest Quarantine (TPFQ), through 
which the TPFQ identified gaps in research and re quested IFQRG to undertake that work.  Much of 
the work related to establishing scientifically-based  criteria for evaluation of new treatments for 
inclusion in ISPM No. 15, which would be particular ly relevant in the context of the recently adopted 
recommendation on reducing the use of methyl bromid e.  The Chairperson encouraged scientists from 
other contracting parties to participate in the work of IFQRG. 
GOAL 7:  REVIEW OF THE STATUS OF PLANT PROTECTION IN THE WORLD 
45. A scientific presentation on "Climate Change and Plant Pests:  Preparing the Contracting 
Parties" was given by Mr. Ian Campbell of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.  The presentation 
summarized the consensus findings of the Inter governmental Panel on Climate Change, in that 
human-caused climate changes were resulting in statistically detectab le global warming, increases in 
frequencies of extreme weather such as precipitati on, drought, and storms.  The changes would very 
likely affect pest distribution and pest impact directly through changes in range and host plant 
condition and indirectly, by changes in pest move ments through trade.  New and better pest risk 
assessments incorporating climate change models w ould be needed to refine risk management and 
appropriate new measures. 
 
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